Extendable component power cable

Abstract

A component power cable having a pair of elongate conductive members each connected at a first end to a power distribution unit connector and at a second end to a component power supply connector, wherein the cable has sufficient resilience to impart a generally collapsed configuration to the component power cable, with the first end generally proximal to the second end. The component power cable is extendable from the collapsed configuration to an extended configuration by displacement of the first end to a position distal to the second end, wherein energy stored in the resilient cable by such displacement restores the component power cable to the collapsed configuration upon return of the first end to a position proximal the second end. The resilience may be provided by a spring element or by an elastomeric sheath.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A component power cable, comprising:
 a pair of elongate electrically conductive members electrically insulated one from the other and extending through a cable jacket, wherein a first end of the pair of elongate electrically conductive members terminates in a first power connector connectable to a power distribution unit, and wherein a second end of the pair of elongate electrically conductive members terminate in a second power connector connectable to an electrical power consuming component; 
 at least one spring element connected to at least a portion of the length of the conductive members and having a generally compact collapsed configuration in a relaxed mode characterized by the first end being generally proximal to the second end; 
 wherein the component power cable is extendable from the collapsed configuration to an extended configuration by application of an extending force to move the first end to a position distal to the second end; and 
 wherein energy stored in the at least one spring element by extension of the component power cable from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration restores the component power cable to the collapsed configuration upon return of the first end to the position proximal to the second end. 
 
     
     
       2. The component power cable of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spring element is connected along the portion of the length of the conductive members by a generally flexible sheath surrounding the spring element and the pair of conductive members. 
     
     
       3. The component power cable of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible sheath is made with an electrically insulating material. 
     
     
       4. The component power cable of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible sheath is made with an elastomer. 
     
     
       5. The component power cable of  claim 2 , wherein the generally flexible sheath is injection molded about the spring element and the pair of conductive members. 
     
     
       6. The component power cable of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one spring element is connected along the portion of the length of the conductive members using a plurality of spaced apart connecting elements. 
     
     
       7. The component power cable of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one spring element comprises first and second spring elements strategically connected to generally adjacent portions of the length of the conductive members. 
     
     
       8. The component power cable of  claim 7 , wherein the first spring element imparts a first bend in the conductive members in the collapsed configuration and the second spring element imparts a second bend in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
       9. The component power cable of  claim 8 , wherein the second bend is generally adjacent the first bend and generally offsetting the first bend in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
       10. The component power cable of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one spring element further comprising a third spring element and a fourth spring element connected along the portion of the length of the component power cable to straddle the first and second spring elements and to impart a third bend and a fourth bend in the component power cable in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
       11. A component power cable, comprising:
 a pair of elongate electrically conductive members electrically insulated one from the other and extending through a cable jacket, wherein a first end of the pair of elongate electrically conductive members terminates in a first power connector connectable to a power distribution unit, and wherein a second end of the pair of elongate electrically conductive members terminate in a second power connector connectable to an electrical power consuming component; 
 at least one spring element connected to at least a portion of the length of the conductive members and having a generally compact collapsed configuration in a relaxed mode characterized by the first end being generally proximal to the second end; 
 wherein the component power cable is extendable from the collapsed configuration to an extended configuration by application of an extending force to move the first end to a position distal to the second end; 
 wherein energy stored in the at least one spring element by extension of the component power cable from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration restores the component power cable to the collapsed configuration upon return of the first end to the position proximal to the second end; 
 wherein the at least one spring element is connected along the portion of the length of the conductive members by a generally flexible sheath surrounding the spring element and the pair of conductive members; and 
 wherein the at least one spring element comprises first and second spring elements strategically connected to generally adjacent portions of the length of the conductive members. 
 
     
     
       12. The component power cable of  claim 11 , wherein the first spring element imparts a first bend in the conductive members in the collapsed configuration and the second spring element imparts a second bend in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
       13. The component power cable of  claim 12 , wherein the second bend is generally adjacent the first bend and generally offsetting the first bend in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
       14. The component power cable of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one spring element further comprising a third spring element and a fourth spring element connected along the portion of the length of the component power cable to straddle the first and second spring elements and to impart a third bend and a fourth bend in the component power cable in the collapsed configuration.